Oasis (A KaiSoo Fanfic)

Chapter 35 | Butterfly

If you've ever stayed in one place for a lengthened period of time, you'd know how hard it can be to leave that place once it's time. I know I've talked a lot of shit on the hospital thus far, but I knew that place so well that I was pretty much obligated to say those things. 

I knew all the hidden and forbidden rooms on each floor and all the secret pathways to the roof that security tried so many times to block. I was acquainted with nearly all the staff, though many of them probably didn't particularly like me, and I was much more than familiar with the other patients than I ever thought I'd be, maybe so much so that I could almost call them my friends. As odd as it may seem coming from me, that hospital was my home away from home. No. It was my home. And it sucks when you have to leave your home, even if it technically means that you're healthy. 

But, simultaneous to that feeling of melancholy, I was excited, too. After four years of being trapped inside the walls of Cancer and Depression, I was finally liberated, completely free to do whatever my heart told me to. I could go to art school and pursue my passion as a career ( in which I respectably give all credit to Ms. Choi for). 

I could save up enough money to get a really nice car and end up getting a speeding ticket because I was too excited about driving for the first time. 

I could get my own apartment and adopt a dog to keep me company so I won't get lonely so easily. 

I could even fall in love again and live out the rest of my healthy, Cancer-free days with someone. 

For the very first time in four years, my possibilities were limitless. And that felt good.

The next day, instead of leaving that night to go all the way back home, my parents got a hotel so that they could come back and help me pack up my things. I had enough stuff that I could've done it on my own, but I didn't protest their assistance because I could see how thrilled it made them to be able to know that their son was coming home. And, as much as I made it sound like I resented them, all I really wanted for them was to be less miserable because of me. 

"Is there anything I'm missing?" my dad asked, his hands atop my suitcase as he looked at the area around him. 

I glanced around the room. "No, I don't think so," I replied, shaking my head lightly. "I'm sure they'll call if they find anything that was left behind, though."

"Yeah, you're probably right," he said in agreement. He dragged the zipper along its path and sealed my suitcase shut. "I'll take this down to the car awhile," he said as he pulled the suitcase off my bed. "Maybe I can find your mom on my way there." I chuckled a little. As he headed over to the door, I continued to put some of the smaller items in another bag, but I turned around when heard the sound of his voice from behind me. "Hey," he said. I looked at him, my eyes round in curiosity. He smiled at me. "I'm glad you're coming home."

I smiled back. "Me, too," I said. His smile widened a bit before he stepped out of the room and then I went back to packing. A few minutes later, around the time when I was almost finished, a knock shook my door and I whipped around to see who it belonged to. "Seohyun," I said, shifting my torso a bit more so it was facing in her direction. 

"Hey, Jongin," she said, walking over to me. "I heard you were leaving today, but I didn't get a chance to congratulate you yesterday. Congratulations, I bet you're happy to be going home."

"Yeah," I said, sighing faintly as I dropped my head for a moment. "I am. But I'm also kind of sad to be leaving. I'll miss this wonderful hell."

She laughed. "Well, this wonderful hell will sure miss you, too," she said, still smiling. I chortled at that. Then, she came over and hugged me briefly, wishing me luck and then leaving with slightly tearing eyes. After that, a few of the patients came in and said their goodbyes, including Minghao who said he'd keep my room nice and clean once I left. Ms. Choi was the last person to come in and say goodbye, which made things slightly more difficult for me.